" The Egyptian Government have obtained the services of Dr. Eeisner,
of Harvard University, to take charge of the archaeological work in the field.
For the coming season, Mr. Firth and Mr. Blackman will work with him
as assistants, while Mr. Scott, of the Topographical Survey, will be in
charge of the topographical work.

" It is proposed to examine the ancient sites, settlements, and cemeteries
which occur in the valley below the 113-metre contour, or which are within
a metre or two above it. Careful measurements and photographs will be
taken in order that as complete a record of the work as possible may be
prepared for publication.

" The topographical work will be based on a triangulation and the
cadastral survey maps made in 1903, and the area then surveyed will be
extended so as to include the whole valley.

" Such human remains as may be found will be examined by Dr. G.
Elliot Smith, F.E.S., of the School of Medicine, Cairo.

"The preliminary examination of the coming season's work is being
made next week by Dr. Eeisner and Mr. Scott, and it is anticipated that
work will be commenced at the end of the month.

" Co-operation of Archaeological Institutions in this work will be gladly
accepted by the Egyptian Government; but it does not appear probable
that much will be found in the way of antiquities or objects of special
interest, though results will probably be fruitful in the acquisition of
knowledge.

" A particular point in the scheme of work is to examine as carefully as
possible the whole area which will be affected by the increase of the water-
level of the reservoir, leaving all parts above this level which are secure
from damage for the present to be dealt with later, either by the Egyptian
Government or by such Archaeological Institutions as may desire to work
there."

A gruesome story is reported from Thebes. In November 1905 an
inhabited tomb at Dra abu'l Negga was being secretly explored for
antiquities by its occupier when he was suffocated by foul air in a
deep passage. His wife and son and two other persons who went to
search for him shared the same fate. The efforts to reach the bodies
being unavailing, the entrance to the passage was walled up, by order
of the sanitary authority (to the chagrin perhaps of the archaeologist),
and another family has installed itself in the tomb. Weigall, Ann
vii. 11.